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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps protect those who work near hazardous materials. The EPA merged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's guidelines into its own set of regulations for companies and workers. Its standard operating safety protocols focus particularly on workers who clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites or undertake remedial measures at treatment, storage and disposal plants.

Company HASP

The EPA requires employers to create and implement a written program of standard operating procedures for employees working at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. The guidelines require the Health and Safety Plan (HASP) to contain specific components. It should identify a clear chain of command and the responsibilities each individual has in executing the plan.

Initial Analysis

An analysis of health and safety risks should be completed prior to work commencing on site. The results, included in the HASP, should contain identification and concentrations of all contaminants and spell out how workers should deal with each risk. The plan's site control measures provide details about how the employer will lower exposure to hazardous materials during the cleanup.

Training and Protection

The training section of the plan provides information about the procedures employees undergo to receive proper training before being assigned tasks. Specifics on how the company handles annual refresher training are also included in this section. Employers must make sure each worker knows how to use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoid dangerous situations. A detailed description of the PPE and how it will be selected and stored should be described in detail.

Ventilation and Health

Information on how the air and personnel monitoring system should function is an integral part of the HASP. Employers need to see that procedures for both preliminary and periodic monitoring are set up. In addition, guidelines need to be in place to ensure proper ventilation if the job requires working in confined spaces. Once work begins on a site containing hazardous materials, a documented medical monitoring program that periodically checks the workers' health should be in operation.

Emergency Procedures

Specifics as to how possible emergencies will be dealt with and curtailed are part of the emergency response plan. This required component of the HASP, along with decontamination procedures for workers and equipment, should be prepared and put into action before work begins on a site. Where applicable, procedures for containing and confining a hazardous materials spill should be devised and applied.

About the Author

Vicki A Benge began writing professionally in 1984 as a newspaper reporter. A small-business owner since 1999, Benge has worked as a licensed insurance agent and has more than 20 years experience in income tax preparation for businesses and individuals. Her business and finance articles can be found on the websites of "The Arizona Republic," "Houston Chronicle," The Motley Fool, "San Francisco Chronicle," and Zacks, among others.